HERBI SMART HYDROPONIC GARDEN

Thanks to the 1960s Love Bug movies, the name Herbie will forever be associated with anthropomorphic-machine cuteness — and Michael Kritzer‘s Herbi is no exception. The hydroponic countertop herb pot is sleek, modern and elegant. But don’t be fooled — Herbi’s not just all good looks and no brain; this little gadget is smart. Even if you are one of those people who can’t keep a stick of bamboo alive, Herbi will grow vibrant herbs for you year-round by telling you exactly what it needs and when.

When Herbi needs PH adjustments, nutrients or water, it communicates directly by illuminating a blue LED behind one of four corresponding icons, meaning you don’t have to be a plant-whisperer to have a healthy garden. You can connect up to six little mod units (called “plant silos”) for an herbal medley in your kitchen.

Last fall, readers went nuts over Green Fortune’s Streamgarden, a sexier-than-usual hydroponic pot system for growing plants indoors. Philips made a similar splash with their Herbarium design, but readers became frustrated to find that this design wasn’t available for sale anywhere. Herbi raises the bar for smarts and sex-appeal, and while its not in stores yet – it looks like its on its way in the near future.

According to the designer, Herbi was styled after Plusminuszero, the Japanese company whose pared-down product line perfects minimalist houseware design. “Herbi also draws heavy inspiration from the old wheat and grain silos that were and still are spread throughout the rural plains of America, [and] the elegantly simple and dynamic movements of Japanese Architect Tado Ando.”

Ron,
I would be interested in your design. Anyway you could let me know?
Thanks

RebeccaJuly 19, 2006 at 5:01 pm

As a horticulture student I am definately interested in the product to see if it works like it says, but the big question is where do I get one? Love the sleek look. Can you grow veggies in it? Need more info.

LarsJune 29, 2006 at 2:04 pm

This thing look awesome, but really the big question is: WHERE CAN I BUY ONE?

JangelsJune 26, 2006 at 9:53 pm

awesome dude now i can let this thing take care of my pot plants while i’m out. sign me up for 10

Anal AvengerJune 23, 2006 at 6:28 pm

Hah! I can’t wait to see how well this grows some cannabis. It looks oooo so perfect for it.

RonJune 23, 2006 at 1:05 pm

My nephew told me about this product. interesting. I am working on something similar. My product uses a wireless sensor network to measure the significant environmental parameters in ‘zones’. The appropriate watering can then be done on a per zone basis per those particular plant requirements. Calibration of the sensor arrays is being done in an environmental chamber (a smart mini-greenhouse) also of my design. if any professional gardener is interested in prototype evaluation, please let me know.

have a good day.

peterJune 23, 2006 at 2:10 am

fantastic and beautiful where can i get one ……….

TomJune 22, 2006 at 8:08 pm

Will it dock my ipod so my plants can have music while they’re trying to grow?

andrewJune 22, 2006 at 6:52 pm

Inspired by Tadao Ando???
I think they should get Ando to design a device like this. I can see the “inspiration,” but I would like to see how Ando would treat this subject…

Yan ShmatnikJune 22, 2006 at 5:39 pm

Where can you buy one? I don’t see any buying information listed on his site. I want one!